Hong Kong leader issues apology amid calls for her resignation

EPA / ROMAN PILIPEY

Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam (pictured) issued a public apology on Sunday with "utmost sincerity and humility" amid the second wave of protests after hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the center of the city to urge for her resignation. The official's statement comes after Beijing-backed Lam already announced that Hong Kong's government decided to suspend the bill which would allow the extradition of criminals to mainland China could be misused and put the special administrative region's legal independence in jeopardy.

The legislation's suspension was announced in an attempt to prevent further violent clashes and noted it intends to hear all views from the public on the issue. The protests, that started earlier this month, turned violent on Wednesday after the police started firing tear gas and rubber bullets during the rally.